Suzina Sheikh Ab Hamid

DNMT1 is associated with cell cycle and DNA replication gene sets in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Dysregulation of DNA (cytosine-5)-methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) is associated with the pathogenesis of various types of cancer. It has been previously shown that DNMT1 is frequently expressed in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), however its functions remain to be elucidated in the disease. In this study, we gene expression profiled (GEP) shRNA targeting DNMT1(shDNMT1)-treated germinal center B-cell-like DLBCL (GCB-DLBCL)-derived cell line (i.e. HT) compared with non-silencing shRNA (control shRNA)-treated HT cells. Independent gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) performed using GEPs of shRNA-treated HT cells and primary GCB-DLBCL cases derived from two publicly-available datasets (i.e. GSE10846 and GSE31312) produced three separate lists of enriched gene sets for each gene sets collection from Molecular Signatures Database (MSigDB). Subsequent Venn analysis identified 268, 145 and six consensus gene sets from analyzing gene sets in C2 collection (curated gene sets), C5 sub-collection [gene sets from gene ontology (GO) biological process ontology] and Hallmark collection, respectively to be enriched in positive correlation with DNMT1 expression profiles in shRNA-treated HT cells, GSE10846 and GSE31312 datasets [false discovery rate (FDR) <0.05]. Cell cycle progression and DNA replication were among the significantly enriched biological processes (FDR <0.05). Expression of genes involved in the activation of cell cycle and DNA replication (e.g. CDK1, CCNA2, E2F2, PCNA, RFC5 and POLD3) were highly correlated (r>0.8) with DNMT1 expression and significantly downregulated (log fold-change <-1.35; p<0.05) following DNMT1 silencing in HT cells. These results suggest the involvement of DNMT1 in the activation of cell cycle and DNA replication in DLBCL cells.

Tissue allograft coding and traceability in USM Tissue Bank, Malaysia

In Malaysia, tissue banking activities began in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Tissue Bank in early 1990s. Since then a few other bone banks have been set up in other government hospitals and institutions. However, these banks are not governed by the national authority. In addition there is no requirement set by the national regulatory authority on coding and traceability for donated human tissues for transplantation. Hence, USM Tissue Bank has taken the initiatives to adopt a system that enables the traceability of tissues between the donor, the processed tissue and the recipient based on other international standards for tissue banks. The traceability trail has been effective and the bank is certified compliance to the international standard ISO 9001:2008.In Malaysia, tissue banking activities began in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Tissue Bank in early 1990s. Since then a few other bone banks have been set up in other government hospitals and institutions. However, these banks are not governed by the national authority. In addition there is no requirement set by the national regulatory authority on coding and traceability for donated human tissues for transplantation. Hence, USM Tissue Bank has taken the initiatives to adopt a system that enables the traceability of tissues between the donor, the processed tissue and the recipient based on other international standards for tissue banks. The traceability trail has been effective and the bank is certified compliance to the international standard ISO 9001:2008.

Report on the 5th World Congress on Tissue Banking (WCTB 08) in conjunction with the 12th International Conference of Asia Pacific Association of Surgical Tissue Banks

The 5th World Congress on Tissue Banking (WCTB 08) in conjunction with the 12th International Conference of Asia Pacific Association of Surgical Tissue Banks was held from 2nd to 6th June 2008 at Renaissance Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with the theme What’s New in Tissue Banking. The congress was attended by 280 delegates from 27 countries around the globe including prominent surgeons, renowned scientists, tissue bankers, tissue and organ transplant coordinators, regulators, researchers and students. Two pre-congress workshops were successfully conducted by prominent facilitators on 2nd June 2008. The radiation sterilization of tissue grafts workshop highlighted the important role of radiation technology in sterilizing tissue allografts for safe clinical use. There is a general interest among tissue bankers to use low dose gamma irradiation in combination with effective cleaning technologies. The tissue donor co-ordination and procurement workshop emphasized and discussed the processes involved in tissue donation. The participants were able to share their experiences in Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. The congress itself which was held for 3 days from 3rd to 5th June 2008 witnessed a convergence of great minds in tissue banking. Experts in various areas of tissue banking, from the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB), the Australasian Tissue Banking Forum (ATBF), the European Association of Tissue Banks (EATB), the Latin American Association of Tissue Banks (ALABAT) and the Asia Pacific Association of Surgical Tissue Banks (APASTB) presented and shared their latest research and clinical findings in three special lectures, seven plenary lectures and 11 symposia. Seven papers and 44 posters were presented during the young investigator award symposium and poster session, respectively. Two young investigator awards (fundamental and clinical category) and three best poster awards were given during the closing ceremony. The President, Dr. Astrid Lobo Gajiwala, India, on behalf of APASTB, also conferred APASTB honorary membership to Dr. Rudiger von Versen, Germany, and Dr. Douglas Michael Strong, USA, for their contribution to the APASTB during the past two decades. The Congress provided a useful forum not only for discussion on various clinical and scientific updates but also offered an opportunity for all participants to explore deeper the ethics of tissue banking and transplantation, regulatory frameworks and policy development. During the congress 30 exhibitors from S. Sheikh Ab. Hamid (&) Tissue Bank, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia e-mail: suzina@kb.usm.my